Stadium of Light prepares for One Direction concert

One Direction.

WITH less than a month until One Direction kick off their Where We Are world tour at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, promoters are urging all those attending to make sure they are aware of all the safety provisions in place.

With more than 50,000 youngsters attending the gig – one of the biggest concerts ever staged at the stadium – safety has been given top priority by the organisers and parents and guardians of are being advised to check the designated traffic-free pick up and drop off points because roads immediately surrounding the stadium will be closed on the day.

Parents arranging to drop off youngsters before the show or collect them afterwards are advised to use the “park and walk” provision – utilising city centre car parks and then meeting their children at the official rendezvous point, the Sheepfolds Industrial Estate, close to St Peter’s Metro station.

With the show set to end at about 10.15pm, city centre car parks will remain open late and Tyne and Wear Metro will be running extra trains before and after the concert as well as extra local bus services on the day.

Sunderland AFC’s head of safety and security, Paul Weir, said: “We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience. We are expecting a higher than normal number of children and young people in attendance for this show and are asking parents to be extra vigilant and ensure that they and their children are fully aware of the safety messages and procedures.

A designated “found children” station will be in operation at the Sunderland Aquatic Centre – which is directly adjacent to the Stadium of Light.

Concert-goers are also being advised that once inside the stadium to acquaint themselves with their surroundings and to nominate an area to go to should any of the party get separated, if you do become separated from your child or parent when inside the stadium please alert the nearest steward.

In advance of the concert, free identification wristbands will be available to all valid ticket holders aged under 18.

The wristbands include space for parents or guardians to fill in their name, mobile number and seat number to assist in reuniting parents and children in the event that they become separated, or if special treatment is required from the NHS Ambulance Service who may need to contact the parent or guardian.

The wristband does not gain you entry to the concert and that anyone attending the concert must be in possession of a valid ticket.

The wristbands will be available from a number of locations, including:

* Stadium of Light Ticket Office, Sunderland;

* At any of the nine Nexus TravelShops, all conveniently located either on or next to a Metro station;

The identification wristbands will also be available on the day from Northumbria Police cadets, stewards and special meet and greet teams, who will be offering assistance at entry points to stadium village.

Mr Weir added: “There will be a higher number of trained staff on duty at the concert to ensure the safety of all those attending but we need the help of parents to make the day is a success.

“If accompanying children to the event then be responsible, make sure you are aware of the safety provisions and meeting points around the stadium and make use of the free ID wristbands.”

Sunderland AFC would also like to advise that as the stadium prepares for the concert, construction and building work will be ongoing until the day of the concert. To ensure the safety of everyone attending, there will be no queuing permitted in the days prior to the show.

* Check the designated website www.safcconcerts.com for all the latest news and information about the concert.